Forgot where you placed your phone? Struggling to concentrate in the middle of the day? For many women after age 50, the feeling of "brain fog" has become an integral part of life. But a new study suggests a particularly simple solution that might already be in your kitchen: Extra virgin olive oil.
The study, published in the journal Microbiome, followed more than 600 participants for two years and examined the connection between olive oil consumption and brain function and gut microbiota health.
The findings showed that people who consumed more extra virgin olive oil enjoyed a greater variety of "good" gut bacteria and also better cognitive function.
What is the connection between the gut and the brain?
In recent years, researchers understand more and more how much the gut and the brain are connected to each other. Gut bacteria affect inflammation in the body, the production of substances related to mood, and nerve signals that affect memory, concentration, and thinking.
